The Department of Agriculture (DA) 12 through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program has delivered agricultural interventions to rebel returnees in the 2nd District of Cotabato Province and continuously be among the 2021 priority programs of the agency according to DA 12 Regional Executive Director Arlan Mangelen.
During the general assembly in the municipality of Magpet on January 06, a total of 48 Peoples Organization have received farm tools worth more than PhP 300,000 and vegetable seeds.
“Ang SAAD Program ay kaagapay ninyo sa pagpapaunlad ng sektor ng agrikultura at pangisdaan sa bansa…Lalong lalo na sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda natin na hindi pa naaabot ng mga serbisyo ng ating gobyerno,” SAAD Focal Person Maimona Amil said.
She also said that over PhP 144-million is alloted to the SAAD Program this year to help alleviate poverty among its priority provinces in Region 12.
“Ipagpapatuloy po natin ang pamamahagi ng mga livelihood project…Nakasuporta po ang DA-SAAD 12 sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan sa ating mga komunidad,” Amil added.
In the message of 72nd Infantry Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Rey Alvarado, he underscored that the ELCAC is a government’s effort in combating the insurgencies in the countryside and bringing the services closer to the communities.
“Nakatuon talaga ito sa mga geographically-isolated na mga barangay or sitio at tinututukan ang mga problema sa kanilang lugar,” Lt. Col. Alvarado said.
With the positive impacts to the ELCAC-areas, he assured that they will continue to implement the EO 70 for sustainable peace in the said province.
“Malaki ang pagbabagong naidulot ng ELCAC sa mga komunidad natin dito… Ang programang ito ay instrumento ng gobyerno tungo sa isang mapayapang bansa,” Alvarado added.
Meanwhile, Pedro Gersalena from Pres. Roxas, Cotabato also shared “Nang dahil po sa ELCAC, mas naramdaman namin ngayon na nariyan ang gobyerno na handa pong tumulong sa mga pangangailangan namin,”. # # # ( Justin Garcia Aquino / DA-RFO XII, RAFIS)
